2012 Treasure Artist announced

Barbara Jacobsen is the 2012 Treasure Artist of the Year, Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission announced today. Barbara is well known locally as a painter and collage expert. She has an open art studio and has taught the very popular Journey Book classes. She... Continue

First day of school

Even though I am a veterinarian with 19 years experience who keeps himself abreast with the latest trends in animal wellness, the day I dropped my beloved companion Twiggy off for her first day of “doggie day care,” I was a blithering mess. It took... Continue

Society is basically good

Industrialization is grinding the planet to dust, pollution radically changing our climate, population increasing to unsustainable levels, disease and poverty continue to spread and politicians worldwide bicker foolishly over non-issues; we’ve gotten ourselves into a terrible mess, but nonetheless, society is basically good. Looking around... Continue

Hospital sponsors mammograms in October

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Sonoma Valley Hospital in October will offer mammograms and follow-up care to women who are uninsured, underinsured or with high insurance deductibles at no charge. Women seeking a mammogram must first obtain an order from their physician, who... Continue

Planting a foundation

Aspiring gardeners in Kristi Draluck’s kindergarten class at Prestwood Schoool are working out of a new shed this year, thanks to a donation by Steve Ledson. After Draluck transformed a neglected playground into a beautiful garden (complete with solar power, thanks to a PG&E grant... Continue

Sprinkler thief reined in

The Rio Nido man whose idea of recycling metal was to steal sprinkler heads from local vineyards has been tried and sentenced. Thomas Barnick, 48, was convicted of grand theft stemming from a series of thefts in the Sonoma, Russian River and Geyserville areas. Barnick... Continue

Donation for Pets Lifeline

Sue Weitendorf, of Sonoma County's Call of the Wild Cat Fanciers (left, holding Samantha Kate), presents a $1,000 check to Pets Lifeline Executive Director Nancy King (holding Alexandra). The check is part of the proceeds from the annual Santa Rosa cat show held at the... Continue

Remembering Joan Huguenard

Editor: We have many loving memories of Joan Huguenard’s always active, questioning, engaging, and progressive spirit. Here is one we would like to share. During the summer of 2005, Joan accompanied our son, Seth Donnelly, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Seth was leading a small human rights... Continue

Sawyer misreads community event

Editor: This last Sunday I attended a community event at the Sonoma Charter School sponsored by La Luz, which featured the first debate for 1st District Supervisor. The audience was mostly Latino parents and their children from the Springs. The debate was preceded by a... Continue

Barbose Endorses Gorin

Editor: For the first time, we will be electing a supervisor who is not from Sonoma Valley. We need to carefully consider the person we choose to represent us. We need a supervisor who will be responsive to the Sonoma Valley constituents, who will make... Continue